Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 17-01-02

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

Monday, January 2 2017

CONTENTS

[01] President expresses his abhorrence for the terrorist attack in Istanbul

[02] Foreign ministry condemns 'barbaric terrorist attack' in Istanbul

[03] No Greeks among the injured of Istanbul's terror attack, says Greece's general consulate

[04] Tsipras on Istanbul terror attack: Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey

[05] PM's office expresses condolences for victims of Istanbul's terror attack to Turkish envoy

[06] Parliament head condemns terrorist attack in Istanbul

[07] Pavlopoulos: 2017 must be the year of national restoration, hope and optimism

[08] Tsipras; Greece will take a step forward in 2017

[09] 2017 must mark the beginning of the restoration of our country, ND leader Mitsotakis says

[10] UN Secretary-General Guterres: 'A call for peace'

[11] 2017 must be the year of the healing of the society's wounds

[12] The second programme review will be concluded without new measures, gov't spokesman says

[13] ND leader Mitsotakis' message to the Greeks of the Diaspora

[14] Digital Policy Min Pappas rules out possibility of elections or referendum

[15] PASOK leader Gennimata's message for the New Year

[16] KKE sec gen Koutsoumbas' message on New Year

[17] Stathakis to ANA: Government decides on top issues; will continue policy of redistribution

[18] Greeks bought mainly food and clothes over Christmas holidays- MARLAB poll

[19] Athens, Thessaloniki welcome 2017 with singing and fireworks

[20] Forty six refugees-migrants arrived in Chios on the first day of the year

[21] Weather Forecast

[22] Athens News Headlines at a glance Politics

[01] President expresses his abhorrence for the terrorist attack in Istanbul

The general secretary of the presidency, Ambassador Giorgos Gennimatas, expressed to Turkey's Ambassador to Greece Yasar Cevik the president's abhorrence "for the barbaric terror attack".

Pavlopoulos also expressed the Greek people's full support towards the Turkish people, his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and his best wishes to the injured for a speedy recovery.

[02] Foreign ministry condemns 'barbaric terrorist attack' in Istanbul

"We express our undivided support for the Turkish people and address our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured," the ministry said in a statement.

According to official information so far, 39 people were killed and 69 were injured when a gunman opened fire inside the nightclub "Reina".

[03] No Greeks among the injured of Istanbul's terror attack, says Greece's general consulate

Although the identities of the - so far - 39 victims have not all been revealed, consulate authorities have no information about Greek citizens or diaspora being among them. So far Turkish authorities have identified Israelis, Jordanians and Azeris among the 15 foreign nationals who died.

The general consulate also recommended caution to all Greeks visiting or currently living in the city as well as to avoid busy areas.

[04] Tsipras on Istanbul terror attack: Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey

"Sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Istanbul. The Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey in these difficult times. We must increase our cooperation so that 2017 is a year of peace and security," he tweeted.

Earlier, the prime minister had expressed his condolences to Turkey's Ambassador to Greece, Yasar Cevik, though his diplomatic office.

[05] PM's office expresses condolences for victims of Istanbul's terror attack to Turkish envoy

[06] Parliament head condemns terrorist attack in Istanbul

[07] Pavlopoulos: 2017 must be the year of national restoration, hope and optimism

Pavlopoulos said that he hoped 2016 was the last year of pessimism and lack of perspective that plagued out country and its people.

He underlined that we must send the message inside and outside the country that we support our national targets with determination and united. He added: "It is necessary to change the specific austerity policy implemented so far that leads nowhere."

Moreover, he said that the major issue of the refugee crisis can only be efficiently addressed with the direct and definite termination of the war in Syria and the wider region. He also referred to national issues such as the Cyprus problem and the Lausanne Treaty.

[08] Tsipras; Greece will take a step forward in 2017

"We aspire that 2017 will be the year that the irreplaceable role of Greece in the international and European scene will be confirmed," he underlined.

The Prime Minister referred to the government's main targets for the new year, especially in the fields of economy, society, growth, investments and he sent a message of optimism. "We may still have a lot of challenges ahead but for the first time we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

He stressed that 2017 will be the year that the confidence to the Greek economy will be restored adding that this is not just a wish but a realistic estimate. The conclusion of the second programme review will be followed by the quantitative easing and Greece's return to the markets.

He explained that Greece made significant progress last year. "We achieved the stabilisation of the economy and recorded positive growth rates. We managed to reduce unemployment by another 3 percentage points and increased the number of people that are entitled to public health services. The humanitarian programme was widened and Greece became the first country in the EU as regards the absorption rates of EU funds," he said.

[09] 2017 must mark the beginning of the restoration of our country, ND leader Mitsotakis says

He underlined that the Greeks must draw their own plan for exiting the crisis; a plan based on truth and willingness for real change.

"The Greeks are proud of themselves and will not compromise to the misery. We have an obligation towards our history and the future generations to seek something better. Let 2017 be the year that we will take a step forward. We can achieve that," Mitsotakis stressed.

[10] UN Secretary-General Guterres: 'A call for peace'

"On my first day as Secretary-General of the United Nations, one question weighs heavily on my heart. How can we help the millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars with no end in sight?

Civilians are pounded with deadly force. Women, children and men are killed and injured, forced from their homes, dispossessed and destitute. Even hospitals and aid convoys are targeted.

No one wins these wars; everyone loses. Trillions of dollars are spent destroying societies and economies, fueling cycles of mistrust and fear that can last for generations. Whole regions are destabilized and the new threat of global terrorism affects us all.

On this New Year's Day, I ask all of you to join me in making one shared New Year's resolution:

Let us resolve to put peace first. Let us make 2017 a year in which we all - citizens, governments, leaders - strive to overcome our differences.

From solidarity and compassion in our daily lives, to dialogue and respect across political divides... From ceasefires on the battlefield, to compromise at the negotiating table to reach political solutions...Peace must be our goal and our guide.

All that we strive for as a human family - dignity and hope, progress and prosperity - depends on peace. But peace depends on us.

I appeal to you all to join me in committing to peace, today and every day. Let us make 2017 a year for peace.

Thank you."

[11] 2017 must be the year of the healing of the society's wounds

Voutsis wished that 2017 will be the year that the wounds of the society, as a result of the economic crisis, will be wounded.

As he said, 2016 was a year full of challenges, not only for our country, but for the whole world.

"Undoubtedly, the major political changes at international level, the economic crisis and the continuation of the war in the Middle East, have had an impact," Voutsis noted and added that "our people addresses these problems with dignity."

[12] The second programme review will be concluded without new measures, gov't spokesman says

He also ruled out the possibility of further pension reductions and reassured that the elections will be held in 2019.

Moreover, the government spokesman said that the Greek side has made all the necessary compromises adding that 95 percent of the issues of the second programme review have been settled.

He also said that the IMF demand for another 4.5 billion euro measures in 2019 will by no means be made acceptable.

[13] ND leader Mitsotakis' message to the Greeks of the Diaspora

"We have to unite our forces for the restoration of Greece. We create the political conditions. You, the Greeks of the Diaspora, can contribute to the effort for the reconstruction of the country," Mitsotakis said in an interview with the newspaper "The National Herald."

"On the occasion of the dawning of the New Year, I express to you my best wishes with the assurance that 2017 is finally going to be the year for our Greece.

As you know, I have also lived among you. So, I have firsthand knowledge of your progress and your commitment to the Greek ideals and traditions.

I am aware of your selfless love, and how you ache and agonize about the situation in our Greece.

I know that despite the repeated promises, you have not even been granted the right to vote from your country of residence, a right enjoyed by almost all other minorities.

I repeat that this will change when New Democracy is in power.

Greece will gain a responsible political leadership, which is also worthy of its migrant children.

Dear friends, it is evident, unfortunately, that the Tsipras government is particularly damaging for our country.

Ask yourself: is the situation in Greece now better than it was two years ago when Tsipras undertook the governance or is it worse?

The answer is absolutely clear: it is much worse.

Therefore, election time, which the country so desperately needs, will not be long in coming. And there is no doubt that the Greek people will trust us with the great responsibility of exiting our Greece from the crisis and defending our territorial integrity."

With your valuable support, our country will change course, hope will return, and Greece will regain its sovereignty.

All together, let's make 2017 the year for our Greece."

[14] Digital Policy Min Pappas rules out possibility of elections or referendum

"There is no reason for delays," he underlined.

For the IMF participation in the programme, the Digital Policy Minister said that "Greece has accepted its participation for the sake of the agreement. It is its own decision now whether it will stay or not. Greece has met its commitments. The rest need to do the same."

Asked whether the hard core of the creditors seek the collapse of Tsipras' government, he replied: "It is reasonable that the hard core of the neoliberal European Right finds it difficult to accept this reality" of a left progressive government in Greece that achieves fiscal balance and puts the country on recovery course."

[15] PASOK leader Gennimata's message for the New Year

"In spite of the difficulties, we can be more optimistic in our daily lives. Together we can overcome the problems and leave the crisis behind us," Gennimata said and added:

"No more saviors and illusions. With national concord and new confidence we should move forward to a better present, and hope for the future. Priority must be given to our children. Because they deserve it. Happy new year to everyone."

[16] KKE sec gen Koutsoumbas' message on New Year

"2017 must be a key year for the restoration of the labour movement and the reconstruction of the social alliance through a more powerful communist KKE party so that the country gets back on growth track to the benefit of the people and far from the exploitation. We wish a happy new year to everyone."

[17] Stathakis to ANA: Government decides on top issues; will continue policy of redistribution

Commenting on the recent clash with the institutions over the pension bonus and the suspension of the VAT for some islands, the minister said the government never violated any agreement with its lenders and cited the unblocking of Greece's debt relief measures by EU bodies.

"It is certainly useful to have a climate of mutual cooperation and trust but in the core of it it's the government itself which takes decisions for issues it considers of top priority," he said.

Asked whether the government is considering distributing again a pension bonus in 2017, Stathakis responded positively. "The government has clarified that overachieving fiscal targets implies redistribution in favor of the weaker social groups. And it will continue to do so. If everything goes well, we'll continue in the same framework," he said.

Financial News

[18] Greeks bought mainly food and clothes over Christmas holidays- MARLAB poll

According to the data, 15 percent of participants said they didn't buy anything, citing as main reasons a lack of money (43 pct), lack of time (23 pct), lack of need (20 pct) and crowdedness in stores (7 pct).

In terms of money spent, 76 percent of those polled said they spent up to 200 euros, 20 percent said they spent from 201-500 euros and the remaining 4 percent spent more than 501 euros ahead of Christmas. For New Year's Day, 73 percent said they would buy presents but the vast majority (92 percent) said they'd spent less than 200 euros

Asked what category of goods or services they chose to spend money on, the poll concluded that shoppers mainly chose food and clothing items. Specifically, 54 percent of respondents said they spent 15-30 pct of their money on food, while 40 percent spent 30-60 pct of their money on clothes and shoes.

Another 13 percent said they used 30 percent of their money on technology products and another 16 percent spent 30 percent on jewelry and accessories. An 11 percent of participants spent 30 percent on toys and 3 percent spent 30 percent on furniture. Only 5 percent spent 30 percent of their money for books.

Another 24 percent of the sample said they travelled over the holidays, with 90 percent visiting regions of Greece and 10 percent going abroad. The average duration of the trip was seven days. For accommodation, 54 percent chose a family house, 14 percent preferred being hosted by friends and 24 percent booked a hotel.

MARLAB's poll was conducted through social media in the period between Dec. 27 and Dec. 30. It was based on 195 people of whom 27 percent were men and 73 percent were women.

Divided by age, 57 percent of respondents said they were 18-24 years old, 26 percent were 25- 35 years old, 13 percent were 36-50 years old and the rest 4 percent were older than 51.

In terms of employment, 51 percent of the sample was university students, 11 percent said they were unemployed, 18.4 percent worked in the private sector, 5 percent in the public sector, 10.6 percent were self-employed, 2 percent were business owners and 2 percent pensioners.

General News

[19] Athens, Thessaloniki welcome 2017 with singing and fireworks

Thessaloniki welcomed 2017 with 3,000 fireworks and celebrations which centered on Aristotelous square.

[20] Forty six refugees-migrants arrived in Chios on the first day of the year

Coast guard officials transferred the people at the port after their boat reached the beach of Aghia Ermioni at 04:00. They were then sent to VIAL camp to be registered.

[21] Weather Forecast

[22] Athens News Headlines at a glance

TO VIMA: The society's SOS

ETHNOS: Agreement on programme review and mid-term plan

REAL NEWS: Emigration wave

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: The 2017 account

KONTRA NEWS: What islands the Turks are seeking

TO PARON: Geneva is a trap

AVGHI: 2017 is a milestone year

ESTIA: Greece was a surprise in 2016

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